I still appreciate the fact that the players on the Cleveland Browns have not given up on their head coach. Week after week though, the team is missing that "X-Factor," something that has prevented Cleveland from taking charge in games over the second half of the season.
When you look at our offense, what do you see?
Taking all of those points into consideration, how is Cleveland going to muster enough points after only averaging a little over 11 points per game the past four weeks? Is something going to all of a sudden change regarding the points listed above? Does anyone really expect Hillis to pound for over 100 yards, for Cribbs to suddenly become the old Cribbs, or for our receivers to start running masterful routes?
Everything above might sound pessimistic, but this is not the same team that beat the Saints and Patriots, and went toe-to-toe with the Jets mid-way through the season. I hung on to those performances for awhile, but the fact that the Browns have lost three in a row to Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, coupled with how those teams have won (they have done so with very vanilla gameplans), has forced me to tame my expectations.
Those expectations apply to the defensive side of the ball too. While the secondary seems to be the strongest and healthiest unit on the team right now, that is negated when the likes of Travis Ivey, Brian Schaefering, and Derrick Robinson, all second-string players at best, are seeing a good amount of work on gameday on the defensive line. The linebackers can't get to the quarterback either. I know a similar bunch was able to surprise Ben Roethlisberger last year, but lightning does not strike twice, especially when this Steelers team is fighting to win the No. 2 seed in the AFC. If they suffer a letdown against Cleveland, odds are they will drop all the way to the No. 6 seed.
The stakes are high for both teams, and I'm hoping like hell that the Browns are able to put together a great gameplan and execute it to perfection to take out the Steelers. It would be a great way to close out the season, and it might be the type of thing Eric Mangini can use in his pitch to Mike Holmgren to remain head coach. But with the injuries this team has had to deal with and the shortage of talent they had to begin with, an upset win on Sunday doesn't seem likely.
I'll offer some of my "wishes" as far as what I want to see in the gameplan on Saturday in my official preview for the game. For now, I'm curious as to what you think the Browns should do. I understand all of us want the Browns to win, but based on what we have to work with, what is the gameplan you would like to see (i.e. blitz seven all game long, have McCoy go Shotgun hurry up the whole game, drop the coverage back most of the game, etc)?
0 recs | 46 comments
I’d like to see a lot of hurry-up shotgun from McCoy. With a lot of screens and draws to keep the blitz honest.
We can’t pound the ball with Hillis against this D and win, so we’re going to have to win the game through the air, which will still be tough. I’d like to see McCoy throw it 30 or more times, if for no other reason than to see how he handles it.
On D, I’d take a lot of chances, blitz a lot, and try to get as many hits on Roethlisberger as possible. We have nothing to lose, might as well play like it
rose_11 - December 31, 2010
Somebody on D always has to have an eye on Roethlisberger. Nothing’s more frustrating than flushing a QB out of the pocket only to have him scramble for 10+ yards.
Monsters of the Midway - January 1, 2011
The worst thing to do in this game is to flush Roethlisberger out of the pocket. We should apply just enough pressure to his average at best O- line to KEEP him contained and not let Mendenhall go wild while trying to chase him around.
We have the D- backfield to compete, and a couple a linebackers, but that’s it.
Rubin should have an excellent game with this plan.
theotherJimBrown - January 2, 2011
That sounds really good. I was really impressed with how well the secondary covered last week.
Monsters of the Midway - January 2, 2011
Colt needs to be that accurate passer tomorrow, not the one we saw last week who was gift wrapping INTs to the Ravens.
We need to create some running lanes for Hillis.
We need to stop the run.
We need to get some pressure on Roethlisberger.
emily522 - December 31, 2010
And I’d like to see a lot of shot gun hurry up with McCoy.
emily522 - December 31, 2010
And enough of the “run, run, pass.” Mix it up.
emily522 - December 31, 2010
give Schaefering a break. I have been very impressed with him. I do agree with everything else though. This is not the same team that we had before in the season. I just think that our old defense just does not have the endurance to continue, and our offense is tied too, especially hillis. We need to shop for younger players in the off-season. I do think that we are on the cusp of breaking out. Give us 1 more year of MHH and I think we could become a real contender. look at Tampa, if we can get young players we could become a good team.
brownsboy14 - December 31, 2010
considering his talent level, he hasn’t played bad. However, he is not a particularly talented player and could be considered a marginal NFL talent who overachieves. Nothing at all stands out to me talentwise. He is a nice hard worker who gives good effort, but he isn’t anything to write home about
bross09 - January 1, 2011
Schaeferling is just not that good. Gives great effort but he just isn’t a super-talented guy.
rufio - January 1, 2011
yep. I even found an interview with him from the draft and he listed his strengths as Smart player, aggressive, and heart. He is a really nice effort player but has a marginal skill set.
bross09 - January 2, 2011
He’s the kind of guy you want on your bench.
golanbatrac - January 2, 2011
Is TP officially playing? I’ve been waiting for news.
Rather glum post, especially leading in to one of the most significant Browns-Steelers games in years.
We are still rather thin in talent and injuries still have a big influence on performance. Hillis should have sat one game and Cribbs is at 50%. Fujita’s injury affects the Browns much like Polamalu’s on the Steelers.
Spidey - December 31, 2010 via mobile
I’d like to see more no-huddle, not necessarily out of the shotgun though.
Would this be a good point to ask if anyone knows anyway of getting in touch with the Toronto brownsbackers? Despite GolanBatracs comment in the last game thread I reckon there must be onelurking somewhere in these parts!
LondonBrown - December 31, 2010
Don’t worry Chris, Polamolu will not be playing.
SpecialBrownie - January 1, 2011
I hope you’re right – would level the playing field on the injuries front with Fujita being out.
burntorangeandbrown - January 1, 2011
The unfortunate truth is that the Steelers don’t need Polamalu to handle the Browns as both teams are currently comprised.
woodsmeister - January 1, 2011
You can´t cry over spilled milk, but you sure can cry about the cats lapping it up!
What gameplan should we employ? I say we employ a preseason approach in giving some of the untested players on our roster a chance. Steve Octavien of Nebraska and Eric Alexander of LSU at outside linebacker come to mind. These may be casual pick-ups, but good linebackers from Nebraska or LSU are never a casual matter. I know we´ve had a lug to thug scenario regarding making our mammoth linebackers look good, but eventually you´ll have to smell the coffee. Linebacker is our number one draft need, next to tailback, I realize you are already targeting the offensive linemen for the early rounds, because their impact takes longer to gauge. The cheapskates come off now, regarding Browns linebackers.
I also endorse sitting our committees McCoy and Hillis, what more could they do for us, under these conditions?
mooncamping - January 1, 2011
There’s a certain logic to a talent evaluation gameplan, but unless Mangini and Holmgren have already sat down to a secret meeting on Mangini’s future and agreed to this, it seems unlikely. Playing for anything other than the win today would create a lot of displeasure toward and pressure on the organization.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 2, 2011
Mangini...
I am thinking a total domination by the Steelers may end the Mangini Era. I PERSONALLY dont want that to happen. I think most if not everyone wants Daboll gone. I guess by January 10th Mangini’s future will be known. I would like him to stay and Ryan to stay. Next year his contract ends and I think he should be given the final year. The Browns really were never blown out of any game (even though they lost to the Steelers 28-10 that game was alot closer than the score). The Browns did blow out New Orleans and New England. Even the best teams in the league got their butts handed to them and were out of games in the 3rd quarter sometime during this season. The Browns were very competitive and in all games till the 4th quarter. Also this is an assumption, but I would think if McCoy played as well as he has and started every game, this game against the Steelers might be for an 8-8 record. SO things are better. Do you think it is already a done deal either way (meaning Mangini is gone already or he is going to be back)?
champion64 - January 1, 2011
I believe the Mangini era most likely ended after the Buffalo and Cincinnati losses. You can’t raise expectations and demonstrate that you can play with the cream of the NFL crop and then finish the season with 4 (most likely) straight losses in some cases to very poor teams. All we can hope for here is that the players are motivated enough to try and send Mangini off with a victory…which will certainly be appreciated, but won’t change anything.
johnnyphoenix - January 1, 2011
I think that would be a ridiculous overreaction by Holmgren. that is a fan reaction to say that mangini should be gone after those 2 losses. I can understand after 3 in a row and going 5-10, but at 5-9, that is still significant room for improvement on the record in 2009.
If the browns won last week and this week, what then?
bross09 - January 1, 2011
The Browns haven’t played well since the loss to the Jets, except perhaps for stretches of the Miami game. Those are 5 games, not 2. The body of work of his regime includes these games, as well as the poor performances in the first two weeks of the season.
I guess I’m neutral on Mangini by now. The team doesn’t need to be blown up and rebuilt, but I wouldn’t mind if a more successful coach stood on the sidelines next season.
BuenosAires_Dawg - January 1, 2011
he is pointing at the buffalo an cincinnati losses specifically. Also, it is hard for me to believe that Holmgren would make a decision after 14 weeks and not take into account the last 2. If mangini went 7-9 it would seem really stupid to many to have an end toe the “mangini era”
Yes, but who is there?
Wade Phillips? Pass
John Fox? Pass
Jason Garrett? Meh
John Gruden? Possibly, but even then he may not come
After that, its mostly UFL guys and all those guys have full roster control (HC/GM) except Jagodzinski…but I wouldn’t seriously consider any of them to be the HC (except maybe Dennis green, who I still wouldn’t take over mangini).
I have no problem with mangini being gone because H&H have found someone better, but I am not in favor of getting rid of him just for the sake of shaking it up.
bross09 - January 2, 2011
It’s kinda hard to be optimistic when the opposing team dominates in just about every category. Maybe our best be is to give our LBs some tequila and just tell them to go in there and tear things up – and always shift extra pass pro over to the right side.
JustBob - January 1, 2011
The receivers did a good job getting open last week. They just weren’t getting the ball.
Monsters of the Midway - January 1, 2011
We don’t know how well our wide receivers can perform against the current Steelers secondary because James Harrison took our two best wide receivers out with illegal and cheap blows to the head in the last game.
woodsmeister - January 1, 2011
I’d like to think that one day karma is going to catch up with some of these fine Steelers representatives. Who knows, maybe this is the week.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 2, 2011
I like the way you think.
burntorangeandbrown - January 2, 2011
Is Polamalu dressed for this game?
St. Clair is going to get burned if we he doesn’t step up the coverage. Since it seems like we’re short on offensive manpower, we need some creativity. Some Hodges/MoMass passes.
Heavysoviet - January 1, 2011
Took a look at what BTSC had to say for the game. Just a bunch of Cleveland bashing.
Heavysoviet - January 1, 2011
Did you expect anything less from inbreeds?
Brownie's Year - January 1, 2011
No, I guess I didn’t.
Heavysoviet - January 1, 2011
Give them credit though. It must be hard to type with lobster claws.
Brownie's Year - January 1, 2011
LOL!
Heavysoviet - January 1, 2011
Regarding all of the Polamalu comments, he still seems like a gametime decision based on what I’ve seen.
Chris Pokorny - January 1, 2011
Thanks.
Spidey - January 1, 2011 via mobile
1. Finish sacks. When we get the chance, we need to punish the QB.
2. I agree about the idea of the hurry-up offense.
3. I want to see Haden get a TD.
Bernie19Kosar - January 1, 2011
Monsters of the Midway - January 1, 2011
Pick six. It’s coming.
Bernie19Kosar - January 1, 2011
I feel it too. He has been getting better reads on the QB and has been getting some really nice returns when he had a chance.
bross09 - January 1, 2011
I love credibly rooting for our secondary to generate offense. I’m sad that it’s often come down to that as the best game-winning option.
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 2, 2011
Offensively, I’d like to see us mix in some hurry-up, as many have said. I don’t know if we can hold up all game pass protecting against pittsburgh, but it might be easier if we go no-huddle because they won’t be able to dial up all of their blitzes and play at the level of complexity they want. If we can bring it out maybe to start the game and then once or twice at unexpected times it could help us out.
Colt must get rid of the ball on time and he must protect the ball.
Defensively, Rob Ryan did a great job last year with what I thought was less talent, I think we can do it again. Do something to get Shaun Rogers fired up, if he and 3 others can get pressure without sending the house we have a much better chance. Bring out the UFO package and every blitz Rob knows on 3rd downs. Make them throw at Joe.
Offensively, I’d like to see us break tendencies; the coaching staff might not be around next year, they have to pull out all the stops. Unveil more of the Flash/Cyclone packages. Give the ball to Cribbs on the I/S zone/end around play. Throw on first down.
The outside zone play seemed to work well for us last year, we used the steelers’ aggressiveness against them and ran to the gaps that they weren’t disciplined enough to fill. I’d like to see some O/S zone plays and bootlegs off of them to take advantage of Colt’s mobility. Mike Bell seems most effective as a “one cut” zone runner, so we could spell Peyton effectively as an added bonus if we base a chunk of the gameplan around the OS zone.
This game could come down to who is more physical in the trenches, which is exactly how this game should be played.
rufio - January 1, 2011
Unfortunately, whether fighting for a first round by, or not, The Steelers do not ever play down to their opponents. This would be the only chance the Browns could win this game.
Believe Ryan will have our defense holding us to within 10 pts. most of the game, but a blow out should be expected.
We are too depleted in personnel and mentally and physically spent otherwise to expect a close game in the fourth quarter.
I sure hope Eric “Bullwinkle” Mangini can pull a rabbit out of that hat, but “Rocky” is skeptical at best.
I’ll still be there to witness the miracle, if it can happen. So, is the life of a Cleveland Browns fan.
theotherJimBrown - January 2, 2011
I hope to see the old Josh Cribbs at some point today, be it on a return or as a receiver. After looking a little better last week, I’d really like to see him pull something that makes me slap down my glass and say, “Now there’s my man!”
Who knows, maybe the Steelers will take his performance the few games too much to heart and underestimate him….
RelapsingDawgCatcher - January 2, 2011
ESPN
Just reported that many within the Browns Organization believe Mangini is gone after this game, sometime this week. So here we go again.
champion64 - January 2, 2011
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